Petrol sniffing bill fuels mixed reaction

It is hoped new federal legislation will be a significant boost to stamping out petrol sniffing in remote Aboriginal communities.

Parliament has passed a bill to make low aromatic fuel mandatory in parts of South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Otherwise known as Opal fuel, it does not give sniffers a high.

Coober Pedy drug and alcohol counsellor George Laslett says it is an important step.

"You've just got to see the pictures of people ... with their little tins strapped around their noses and they're devastating impacts both psychologically and physiologically leading into tragedy and self-harm," he said.

"If this can stop that happening, and to have a comprehensive approach, that can only be of benefit."

Jonathan Nichols from Uniting Communities says it is a vital step for a national approach.

"Often roadhouses and stations are very close to state and territory borders and the states hadn't stepped up and so what this legislation means if there's a problem in the Northern Territory community but it's coming from a roadhouse in South Australia, then this legislation can deal with those jurisdictional issues," he said.

Martin Davidson from the Nundroo Roadhouse in South Australia's far west says there is anecdotal concern that the fuel could be damaging vehicles.

He says there is also confusion about how the new legislation will work.

"The motor traders association, they're unaware of this - they're seeking advice as to what it's all about," he said.

"Is there a right of appeal, is there any financial business if the roadhouse decides to take the Opal fuel on and then 12 months later the fuel sales have fallen and have to shut the doors - what's the financial assistance there?

"There's a whole bunch of questions.

"The issue is that those that have had it in their service stations there's been some anecdotal evidence to suggest that some vehicles have suffered failures.

"Whether that's to do with the fuel or whether that's to do with something else we don't know but the point is that doesn't matter - it's the public perception that it was that fuel."